Archives: 2017

Living it up Rochester style!

Greetings!

I hope you’re enjoying your summer.  We have been living it up Rochester style this summer with season passes to Seabreeze and we bought a 12 game pack of tickets to the Red Wings.  Christine and I even got out for a night alone and went to CMAC for the Tom Petty concert.  We haven’t been to a concert in about 20 years, so it was fun to do something different.  Luckily it was a perfect night weather wise and Tom Petty put on a good show.  

Kaci turned 8 in July.  I had to post the picture with her cake…do you think Riley’s happy to be in the picture?!  Haha


  

Now for this month’s raffle winner.  Click on the picture below or copy and paste this address into your web browser:  https://youtu.be/WP2YLtflu4M .  Remember, if you want to be next month’s winner, all you have to do is refer a friend or family member to my Agency, and I’ll send you a $10 gift card AND enter your name into my Monthly Free Night Out Raffle.

Drive Safe,

Rhett
Independent Agent/Owner
585-663-2004

Energy Saving Tips For Hot Summer Months

Keeping your home cool in the hot summer months can be as costly as keeping it warm in the wintertime. These energy-saving tips can help you minimize your electricity bill while staying cool and comfortable during the heat of the summer months:

• Set your thermostat to 78° or higher. This can lower your cooling bill by approximately 12%.
• While you are away from home, set your thermostat higher and then lower it again when you return home.
• Use your ceiling fans in place of or in addition to central air conditioning. Using a ceiling fan with your A/C running makes it possible to raise the thermostat setting several degrees higher without sacrificing comfort.
• Open your windows and turn the A/C off in the cooler hours. If the temperature drops at night where you live, leave your windows open while you sleep to take advantage of the natural cooling, then shut them when you wake in the morning.
• Keep your cooling systems running efficiently with regular maintenance that includes replacing filters.
• Don’t put lamps, TVs, or other appliances near your A/C thermostat. Heat from these appliances can cause your A/C to run more than it should.
• Use caulk or weather stripping to seal cracks and leaks around windows and doors to help keep the hot air out and the cool air in.
• Vacuum your cooling system registers regularly and make sure that furniture or household items are not blocking airflow.
• Avoid using the oven or the range on hot days. Use an outdoor grill, the microwave, a slow cooker, or a tabletop grill instead.
• Choose efficient lighting that runs cool. Approximately 85-90% of the electricity used with incandescent lighting produces heat, not light. LED lights are far cooler, and last longer.
• Wash only full loads of laundry or dishes, preferably in the cooler hours.
• Turn your water heater temperature down to a lower setting.
• Take quick showers instead of baths.

Saving Money with the Right Homeowners Insurance

Just as taking steps to save energy can reduce your cooling bill, finding the right homeowners insurance can also save you money. A number of factors affect the cost of homeowners insurance, including:

• Amount of coverage
• Location of your home
• Neighborhood crime statistics
• Fire safeguards
• Type of building materials
• Age and condition of the home
• Claims record

The amount of coverage you choose is a significant factor in the cost of your policy. The coverage you need will depend on the size and value of your dwelling, any other structures in addition to the main dwelling, the value of your personal property, and your exposure to liability. If you live in an area where natural disasters are more likely to occur, homeowners insurance premiums are often higher.

Your home is a major investment, and it is important to protect it with the right homeowners insurance policy. Our knowledgeable agency can help you obtain the homeowners insurance coverage you need at the best available price.

June’s FREE Night Out Raffle Winner

Greetings!

I was checking the weather for the 4th this morning and as of now, it looks like it is going to be a great day 77 degrees and mostly sunny. We have a family party during the day to celebrate the 4th and my niece and nephews birthdays, then at night we are heading to the Red Wings game to see their fireworks and the City’s firework displays. If you are heading to the game, stop by and say hello, we’re sitting in Section 114 row E.

Be sure to enter our photo contest to be entered to win a fifty dollar gift card to your favorite place. Go to our Facebook page to see the rules. The deadline is supposed to be today, but with the Holiday Marianne won’t be posting the photos until Thursday next week.

Click on the picture below to find out the winner of this month’s free night out raffle. Remember, every time you refer a friend or family member to my Agency, I’ll send you a ten dollar gift card AND enter your name into the monthly free night out raffle. You get all of this, whether they buy insurance from us or not.

I hope you have a great 4th of July!

Drive Safe,

Rhett
Independent Agent/Owner
585-663-2004

P.S. The office will be closed Tuesday for the 4th.

5 Behaviors That Can Raise Your Life Insurance Premiums

Your hobbies, lifestyle, and overall health impact how much you pay for life insurance. For example, if you have decided to take up scuba diving, mountain climbing, rock climbing, BASE jumping, or skydiving, these activities will affect the cost of your policy.

Essentially, your life insurance policy is a legal contract between you and the company that issues it. These companies evaluate all risks associated with covering you against death or incapacitation. Certain behaviors and conditions will increase the cost of your policy and the premiums you will pay. Every policy should be customized to match the individual. The types of behaviors that life insurance companies often consider risky include:

• Smoking. Insurance companies will cover smokers, but at a higher rate.
• Body weight. The life insurance company underwriters will evaluate your height and weight for known associated health risk factors.
• Driving record. If you have a history of traffic violations – particularly moving violations or driving under the influence – your rates may be higher.
• Risky activities. If you engage in certain high risk activities, such as scuba diving, motorcycle riding, flying a plane, or similar pursuits, your rates will be higher.
• Alcohol consumption. Your alcohol consumption will be evaluated as a risk factor in issuing a policy. 

Getting Approved for Life Insurance

There are several criteria that underwriters employ to evaluate a potential policyholder. If you are considering purchasing a life insurance policy, get help from an agent, as they will manage the process for you. There are many types of life insurance policies on the market, and an agent will help you find the company that is right for you and your lifestyle.

We are happy to explain everything simply and clearly so that you can make an educated decision about what will work best for you and your budget. New life insurance programs come on the market, and if you already have a term life insurance policy, it is worth having it reviewed – there may be a better option for you now. We are happy to help.

Having a life insurance policy in place is one of the most effective ways to protect your family, and getting your policy issued is important. We know the system and how to work to get you the coverage you need, and at a rate you can afford. Talk to us – we are here to help.

Prevent Cyber Crime From Happening To Your Business

As a business person, you are concerned with making your business immune to cybercrime exposure, and with good reason. According to an article on CNBC, cybercrime cost the global economy $450 billion in 2016.

Prevention is your best line of defense against cyber criminals. You will want an IT security expert to assess your company’s current vulnerabilities and needs. In addition, there are certain universal steps business owners can take to reduce the likelihood of a cyber incursion and the estimated financial risk to the company.

Training and Education

Any employee with access to your business network needs an education in fundamental security. This is as vital as ensuring that employees who drive company vehicles have a license to drive. Make certain your security policies are well defined and your employees know them. Make sure they understand common hacking tactics, such as phishing, packet sniffing, and social engineering. Training goes a long way toward protecting your business.

Securing Computers, Digital Assets, and Networks

Hackers gain access to systems through software exploits. It is important to ensure that all software on your network and connected machines is continually updated. Business-class antivirus software should be installed and kept updated on all servers and workstations. Scan your website and web applications for malware. Ensure that you have reliable, securely-stored backups of all critical data.

Installing Data-Loss Prevention and Risk Assessment Software

Security issues can arise when employees are not educated about the risks of bringing their own devices to work, or from scammers working on the inside. Installing data-loss prevention and risk assessment software makes it possible to monitor the activities of your entire network and detect trespassers and events that could lead to data breach.

Cyber Liability Insurance

If your company uses technology to conduct business, you are undoubtedly facing cyber risk, and as the technology becomes more sophisticated, so do the threats. Cyber liability insurance today is simply part of being prepared and should be included in your business insurance package.

A cyber liability policy covers your company’s liability for data breaches involving sensitive information such as social security numbers, driver’s license numbers, health records, account numbers, and credit card numbers. This business insurance is designed to cover:

• Legal fees and expenses associated with a data breach
• Notifying customers of a data breach
• Recovering compromised data
• Repairing damaged computer systems
• Restoring personal identities of customers affected by a breach
• Loss of customers and disruption of business
• Restoring public relations when your reputation has been tarnished by a data breach

The cost of cyber liability insurance will depend on certain underwriting factors used to determine your potential risk. Those factors include the type of business, the number of transactions per year, the type of information you collect while doing business, the number of your company’s computers and devices, and the security measures you have implemented.

Unfortunately, cybercrime is on the rise, and the majority of victims are not large corporations, but small to mid-sized companies. Cyber liability insurance is a must for any company that uses technology in doing business. Our agency can help ensure that your company has the coverage it needs.

May FREE Night Out Raffle Winner and $25 Wegman’s Gift card winner

I know that I usually give you updates about the kids, but the big update this month was that Christine and I got out for a date night without the kids…twice.  We went to Pole Position Raceway, which turned out to be more fun than we thought.  Those go carts can boogie!  I needed one more full lap and I would’ve been able to lap Christine twice…this is a reversal of our regular driving habits 🙂  The weekend after, we got out again without the kids and had  team building night for the Agency.  We went to the Breakout games in Rochester.  You get locked in a room and have to figure out how to get out, through a series of clues that build off of each other and have to escape in less than an hour.  If anyone is looking for something different and fun to do with their family or coworkers, we would highly recommend this.  I was happy that we escaped in under 50 minutes!

Thank you to everyone that provided a review on our Facebook or Google+ pages.  I appreciate your support.  We are working on building our online presence, so this month we’re promoting our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/vanscoterinsurance/.  We are running a Favorite Summer Hangout Photo Contest this month to drive traffic to our page.

Send us a picture (preferable with you in it) of your favorite summer hangout and be entered to win a $50 Gift Card.

RULES:

• Like the VanScoter Insurance Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/vanscoterinsurance/
• E-mail your photo to marianne@vanscoterinsurance.com before 6/30.
• We will create an album of all submissions, and open them to voting on 7/1, with voting concluding on 7/16 – National Ice Cream Day!
• How to win:  Share the album so friends can vote for your image by liking your image AND liking the VanScoter Insurance Facebook page (BOTH must occur for the votes to count!).  If they like your photo, but don’t like our page, the vote doesn’t count.  Most votes at the end of the contest wins a $50 gift card of the winners choice.

The Importance Of Key Person Insurance For A Startup

If you are the founder of a startup, chances are that you and your co-founders live and breathe the business, and without you, the enterprise would not exist. That is why key person insurance is essential for your startup.

What Is Key Person Insurance?

Think of it as life insurance for your company. While a regular life insurance policy is designed to compensate the spouse and children of the insured in the event of a fatal or debilitating injury, key person insurance compensates the company when the insured is a key executive or employee. The company pays the premiums on a key person insurance policy, which may be expanded to cover other disabilities in addition to death or incapacitation.

Why You Need Key Person Insurance for Your Startup

To begin with, many startups need key person insurance as investors require it in the term sheet. Investors want to hedge their bets, and founders of a startup are a crucial component in the success of an investment.

Regardless of what investors require, key person insurance is a critical asset for your startup. The sudden loss of a founder or co-founder could leave your company in a difficult situation, from which it may not easily recover. Compensation from a key person insurance policy could help pull the company through the rough period after a key person is lost and provide the funds needed during the period of recruiting, hiring, and training a replacement.

If the company decides to close after the loss of a key person or founder, key person insurance benefits can help pay off debts and investors and provide severance for employees. It gives the company options other than bankruptcy in a tragic situation.

Taking out key person insurance on the team members who make your startup run can have several advantages for your company:

• It can help replace the loss of a co-founder or key person.
• It can be used as an asset to improve your company’s creditworthiness.
• The cash value of the policy may be available as a withdrawal or loan.
• It can be used to close the company after the loss of a key person.

Key Person Insurance Premiums

The premium your company pays for key person insurance will depend largely on how much insurance coverage you want and how many co-founders or key persons you choose to insure. The amount of insurance should be based on the key person’s value to the company and on what the business can afford without taking a toll on other areas. A value of a key person to the company can be calculated several different ways, including the cost of replacement or the percentage of overall income the key person contributes to the business.

The premium for each key person is based on an insurance agent’s appraisal of that person, taking into consideration factors such as age, current health, health history, and salary. Our agency can help ensure that you have the right amount of key person insurance for your startup.

Driving Tips To Stay Safe During Your Summer Vacation

Longer days, warm, sunny weather, and roads free of snow and ice make summer the perfect time for vacation road trips. In fact, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) statistics reveal that more fatal traffic crashes occur over the summer months than over the winter months. Contributing factors to the increase in serious accidents during the summer include congested roads due to vacation travel with the added risk of more road construction occurring with warmer weather.

If you are planning a drive for your summer vacation, it makes sense to be prepared for the unexpected. Follow these driving tips to help ensure a safer summer road trip:

Check Your Tires

Well-maintained tires can give your vehicle better handling and greater fuel economy and help prevent avoidable crashes and breakdowns. Check the tread on your tires before you start on your trip, and replace them if needed. Keep tire pressure at the level recommended by the manufacturer for optimum fuel efficiency and greater safety.

Pack Light

The owner’s manual for your vehicle will give you the maximum cargo and passenger weight it can safely carry. Don’t exceed payload capacity! Also, pack your vehicle in a way that does not obstruct your view through any window.

Manage Summer Allergies

Many people suffer from allergies, particularly in the summer months. Allergy symptoms such as watery eyes, sneezing, congestion, and exhaustion are dangerous when you are driving. Manage allergy symptoms during your summer road trip, but make sure your allergy medication does not cause drowsiness, as many over-the-counter allergy meds do. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about an allergy medication that will not impair your energy or alertness.

Handle the Glare and Heat

Glare can interfere with your view of the road, and the summer sun can cause dehydration on a long road trip. Wear sunglasses and use a sunshield to keep the interior temperature down while your car is parked. Never leave a child or pet in the car unattended, and always travel with plenty of water to stay hydrated.

Use Caution in Summer Storms

Summer showers are a frequent occurrence in many areas of the USA. It is important to be alert when roads become very slippery in the first few minutes of rainfall when water mixes with accumulated oil and dirt. It takes approximately half an hour of steady rain for the dirt and oil to wash off the road.

Make Sure You Are Covered for Your Summer Vacation

Summer vacation is time to de-stress, relax with friends and family, and enjoy the open road. Unfortunately, it is also the time of year when more traffic accidents occur. Having the right auto insurance can give you peace of mind, knowing that you are fully covered in the event of an accident during your vacation, no matter where you travel.

Safe drivers with experience and a good driving record typically qualify for lower rates on the best auto insurance coverage. Many people lower their rates by combining automobile coverage with homeowners or other insurance policies. Our agency can help ensure that you have the coverage you need for a worry-free summer vacation.

Are You Liable For A Cyber Attack?

As more and more aspects of business are carried out and stored using the internet and cloud-based technologies, potentially sensitive information becomes more vulnerable to the threat of cyber attacks and security breaches that take place electronically. Such attacks can be costly, both immediately and in the long term, and unless you specifically have a cyber liability insurance plan, your enterprise could be forced to shoulder the entire financial burden. Our local New York team at VanScoter Insurance Agency is here to take a closer look with you at the risks.

Cyber attacks can be carried out by individuals, companies, activist groups, or even terror organizations. The type of threat posed depends largely on the type of business you own. Information such as credit card numbers and PINs could be stolen for financial gain, sensitive information could be made public for political reasons or sold to third parties, or your business’s operations could be interrupted by a computer virus or ransomware.

The costs of a cyber attack can be immense: even the sole task of notifying consumers that their sensitive information has been compromised (which is, in many cases, legally mandated) can be lengthy and expensive. Furthermore, you could become the subject of lawsuits for financial damages as well as reputational damages, if the attack involves spreading messages through your website or social media accounts. Operations could be interrupted as you attempt to correct the problem, and your reputation could be irreversibly damaged.

Liability: Who’s Responsible?

As the use of technology in running a business becomes more and more widespread and advanced, laws cannot evolve quickly enough to keep up with the changing ways in which we handle sensitive information and financial transactions. As a result, the issue of liability following a cyber attack is full of gray areas and is being decided in courtrooms every day. If your business is a franchise, for instance, it may be unclear whether the responsibility for such a security breach would fall on you or the larger corporation.

One way to protect yourself and your business is to keep up to date with the latest technology and risk management approaches within your field. As EMV (chip) card reader machines become the higher-security norm for retailers, you are far more likely to be liable for a security breach if it is connected to using older, card-swiping technology.

The most important thing for you to know is that a general liability commercial insurance plan will not protect you in the event of a cyber attack. Unless you specifically have cyber liability insurance, you leave your enterprise unprotected from incursions.

Our New York agents at VanScoter Insurance Agency are committed to assisting our clients in choosing the best commercial insurance plan to meet their unique business needs. Let us help you assess your options to ensure that you are protected from every type of threat, including cybercrime. To learn more, get in touch with us at (585) 663-2004 to schedule an appointment at a time that is convenient for you.

April 2017 FREE Night Out Raffle

Greetings!

Thank you for your business and your referrals.  I am hoping you can help us out.  I promise, it won’t take much of your time at all.  I know that it’s not always possible to send a referral or you have already referred all of your family and friends.  Another way that you can help is by providing a positive review on Facebook, Google+ or Yelp.  Just follow the link to leave a positive review on one of our social media sites.  https://www.vanscoterinsurance.com/write-a-review/  .  This will help our search rankings when someone searches for “Auto Insurance” in Rochester.  To thank you for your support, we will be raffling off a $25 Wegman’s gift card for anyone that leaves a review during the month of May.  (When you are at our Facebook page, don’t forget to like our page, to keep up to date on what’s going on at the Agency.)

What’s been going on at the VanScoter household?
At the beginning of April, Kaci, Jack and I volunteered a couple of hours on a Saturday for Greece Rotary’s Stop Hunger Now event and helped pack 60,000 meals to be shipped to people around the world…you can tell from their picture that they were feeling the love.  Jack and I took our annual trip to Syracuse for Monster Jam, which is always fun to see what they are able to do with those trucks (I wonder who insures them?).  Riley has been enjoying the sun but remaining incognito.

Raffle Time
Now it’s time for this month’s FREE Night Out Raffle.  Watch the video below to see if you are this month’s winner: https://youtu.be/0qaM5HctDUo   (I realized after I shot that video that I cut off the top of my head)

Remember, if you want to be next month’s winner, all you have to do is refer a friend or family member to my Agency.  Every time someone calls and says that they were referred by you, I’ll send you a FREE pizza gift card AND enter your name into my Monthly FREE Night Out Raffle.

Drive Safe,

Rhett
Independent Agent/Owner
585-663-2004

P.S.  Thursday 5/4 7pm at The Mall at Greece Ridge is the Greece Youth Hall of Fame induction ceremony.  If you are in the area and want to here some amazing stories and meet some great kids, be sure to stop by.  It will be held in the wing of the mall near the Benucci’s and Red Robin.  This event is one of the highlights of my year.  It’s great to recognize these outstanding students.